First electric bus expected to arrive in Bengaluru on Sunday

Mangalore Today News Network

Bengaluru, Sep 24, 2021: Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation’s (BMTC) first electric bus is expected to arrive on Sunday and is likely to be deployed for feeder services at the Kengeri metro station.

 

According to a report published by the Times of India, BMTC officials said that NTPC along with JBM Auto had received the contract in February to provide 90 non-AC midi e-buses under the Bengaluru Smart City project.

These buses have a 30-35 passenger capacity and will be deployed at various metro stations, which will end the city’s wait for environment-friendly electric buses.

“The first e-bus left JBM’s bus plant at Kosi in Mathura (Uttar Pradesh) in a trailer on Wednesday night and is expected to reach the city by Sunday,” TOI quoted the BMTC official as saying.

The remaining 89 e-buses will be reportedly inducted by December 15 in a phased manner.

Initially, the plan was to deploy the buses in June 2021 but several deadlines were missed by NTPC-JBM.

NTPC-JBM will operate and maintain these buses and will also deploy drivers. In addition to this, charging infrastructure will also be set up at major depots and stations.

"This will be a 12-year contract, wherein BMTC will pay them on a per-km basis. We will deploy the conductor and the fares will be the same as diesel non-AC buses," an official stated.

Courtesy:India Today